Going up the Mountain, breakthrough

So we're starting our 21 day Breakthrough fast as a church. I'm really excited about what God is going to do in the next little while. God's been showing me lots of things leading up to this, and I'm just so grateful and honoured that God Himself would reveal some of these things to me, and that He will use this, me and our church- His people to fulfil his purpose. Lead the way God!!!

So what's the 21 day fast all about. Our church has undergone a time of transition, where our Senior Pastors for over thirty years have stood down, and our Youth Pastors have taken their place. It's such a God appointed thing, and it feels right in the spirit- right from when Pastor Jim & Anneke, now continuing to serve on the pastoral/ eldership team, announced that they were going to be moving into another role in the wider life of the church, both nationally and internationally. When they shared with Malcolm and I, I immediately felt an excitement in my spirit. Kind of like when Mary shared with her cousin, John's mother Elizabeth, also pregnant at the time, that she was going to be giving birth to the Messiah- and Elizabeth's baby gave a kick and movements of delight inside her. The response was one of joy and affirmation.

Anyway- this Fast is about seeking God's will for where he wants us as a church, individually and as a family to go in the future. This morning as we were worshipping, Pastor Stephen encouraged us to reach up if we'd been going through tough times, etc. I raised my arms as all week I've been unwell, and also in the work I do, I'm often under spiritual attack, and sometimes can be tempted to give in to anxiety, etc. As I lifted my hands, I felt the Lord's annointing over me. He was showing me how wide my arms would go, and that He was in the process of increasing His vision for my life. He told me that He was preparing my heart for what He is about to show me- something that even I cannot imagine in my own natural self, and that it's too big for me to comprehend. It's a God vision- bigger than my vision. Amen to that!

Now... back to the transition and breakthrough stuff:) 

The morning our new Senior Pastors were inducted into their roles, with the laying of hands, and the annointing for their appointment- the Lord showed me during the worship time a mountain that had a cloud that covered the top of the mountain- except that you could see a little bit of the peak of the mountain. I pondered on that and thought that maybe the Lord was showing me that although we've come so far [up the mountain] as a church, there is still more in store for us, that we cannot yet see- but it is only a short distance away from the summit. Don't give up. I thought that was pretty cool, and never really gave things too much further thought, but stored that vision away anyway. Sometimes things don't make sense at the time, but good ole God in time reveals all.

A couple of weeks ago, at church during the worship time, the Lord showed me another vision. This time it was a Him and I and we were sitting in a cave on the top of a mountain, looking out over plains that were reddy, orange, pink and yellow in colour. We were just sitting in this cave looking out over them quietly. The Lord had his arm around me. We were just hanging out together. Fellowshipping. As we were looking out, He was showing me that He has a beautiful plan for me. That it was like a territory prepared for me, and that when I stepped out, everywhere my feet were going to tread, I would be taking authority in His name over that place. The colours were just like a watercolour picture, not vivid, but just pastel like and very serene. It was kind of like Africa, but it wasn't [or maybe that was my mind and flesh going 'No not Africa' LOL]. God was saying to me "I'm going to take you away for awhile, to a sanctuary I have prepared for you- so that we can just hang out and you can spend time with me. By spending time with me, I'm going to show you things that I want you to know. It's not going to be anything that you do in the natural. It's only going to be by spending time with me, that you will have a spiritual transfer of this knowledge". 

Both of these visions affirmed and encouraged me in what God is doing in our church and that we are in accord with His will. But I have to do my bit as one part of the greater body of Christ.

I drew aside and spent some time earlier last week when I was at home unwell. I had a quiet time with the Lord and I began to write down the visions He'd shown me and begun to meditate and seek out what God might have wanted me to know. God quickened to me the scriptures about going up the mountain, and directed me to read about Moses going up Mt Sinai. 

Exodus 24: 12

The Lord said to Moses "Come up to Me on the mountain and be there. I will give you the tablets of stone (with commandments for teaching)"

So Moses he responds.

Then Moses went up the mountain and a cloud covered the mountain. Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mt Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. Moses ended up staying there 40 days and 40 nights.

It was after this time that the Lord spoke to Moses. God then instructed Moses to make a sanctuary so that He could dwell among them, i.e gave the people the pattern of the tabernacle [or how He wanted things to be done, guidance for His people to prepare for a life of living with Him, and then for Him].

After reading that in the scriptures, I can tell you, I was pretty amazed and going "Wow, God you're awesome". I then began to think about the second vision, the cave. I looked it up online, i.e. Moses, cave and whatdya know, I found this reference that spoke about 'Moses cave' as being at the summit of Mt Sinai, where Moses waited to receive God's Ten Commandments- God's instructions for how his people could live with Him and for Him.

So... That's pretty freaky and cool. God- you're a freaky dude! I love how you make us come and search out the answers, what You have to say on things. In these visions and revelations God's been showing me the following [and I'm sure there will be more to come]:

1. When God wants to get our attention, He will call us out from our valley, and up into His mountain- it's an invitation, not a demand and it's up to us to respond.

2. God has so much in store for us, that He wants to show us, but first of all we must be prepared. He will help us to prepare our hearts for what we have in store for us. Often, well most of the time, we're just not ready for what He has, and that's where He allows us to be tested, because like Moses, we have to actually do something, i.e. MOVE CLOSER to be where He is waiting for us, and then when we get there, we have to WAIT on him. He knows that through the testing of our patience, it will help us to see that our will, which is demanding and self centred will be screaming and trying to convince us that we're crazy to be searching out for this God we haven't seen, He's not going to show up you fool! But Moses waited 6 days. He probably questioned a little or maybe alot- so when will you show up God? He waited 6 days, and then on the 7th God showed him enough for him to realise "Woah- okay, I believe you!" Then Moses goes on to wait on God for 40 days and 40 nights. We'll Moses must have been in total awe going "I ain't going back down until He's finished with what He want's to show me- nuh uh, I ain't going nowhere!"

3. The preparation of our hearts always comes from leaning on God, and knowing that He will minister to us, to our hearts. It's by spending time with Him, not making any demands or petitions, not expecting anything from Him for ourselves, except His unconditional and all consuming love. This morning when I woke up, I cuddled into Malcolm and wished him and happy anniversary. We just hugged for along time and what came to me was just how nice it was to cherish that close time of not asking one another for anything, not demanding or having to fulfil any roles in our home life, but just knowing that we loved one another and the happiness of being together, our relationship. I was saying to God, "I cherish this time and the fact that all we are focusing on at this time, leaving everything else aside, is that we are in love and that's all that matters right now". I heard in my spirit the emphasis on the word cherish, and that this is how I want to spend time with the Lord, just to 'cherish' that time, not going, 'shucks- when are you going to show yourself God, what are you trying to say to me here....'- just cherish that together time. Thanks God for this. I love you.

4. God's wants to show us His glory, and when we press into the midst of the cloud, His covering, we'll find Him if we search and wait for Him. When He does eventually meet with us and as we fellowship with Him, God reveals what He is doing and gives us guidance and instruction for where to next. He commissions us, for His greater commission. 

God is going to direct us on how we might set apart a place in our hearts where He will dwell amongst us, where He will reign over us- over our hearts. And when that happens, God is going to move in a mighty way. It will be His might, His power, the Spirit of the Lord having His way.

[Something else that I just remembered. After having meditated and been shown this, I just happened to pick up the 21 Days of Breakthrough Booklet that is a guide for our Fast. I hadn't noticed the cover, but when I looked at it, the front cover was a photo of clouds with the rays of sunshine shining through...just another one of God's clues that He's in all of this- God I love the way you operate, very cool!]

God, for all that you are doing, all praise and glory be to you. I pray your covering over your people, over our church, our family, my children, my husband and myself during this time. As you cover us, so that we might press into you and seek your glory, as we wait upon you Lord, may you bless us and take care of us. Protect us from the works of the enemy. Hold us close to yourself. I commit this time to you Lord, in Jesus name. Amen.

Abide- some notes to add to my collection of learnings from His Word...

abide |əˈbīd|

verb

1 [ intrans. ] ( abide by) accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation) : I said I would abide by their decision.

2 [ trans. ] ( can/could not abide) informal be unable to tolerate (someone or something) : if there is one thing I cannot abide it is a lack of discipline.

3 [ intrans. ] (of a feeling or a memory) continue without fading or being lost.

• archaic live; dwell.

ORIGIN Old English ābīdan [wait,] from ā- ‘onward’ + bīdan (see bide ).

abide

Endure, put up with

Stay or dwell

obey

lasting

abide

Wait on me, not as a servant- but free in what I have planned for you.

Serving God is not being a slave- serving because you have to; it's spending time with Him and then waiting until the time is right, the setting is right- His timing is right- and then going in the knowledge that He has already made a way.

(John 15:4 NKJV) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Fasten yourself to me. Grafting- grow from the main source.

(John 15:5 NKJV) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Acknowledging He is the source- unless we abide in him, we can bear nothing.

(John 15:6 NKJV) "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

We can be cast out like a branch, if we don't abide- graft ourself 

(John 15:7 NKJV) "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

His words abiding in us- you will ask what you desire- and it shall be done for you. Your desire's will come out of His word- His truth, His purpose, His creation.

(John 15:9 NKJV) "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

He wants us right there- in His Love. The love he had from His Father, is the love He has for us.

(John 15:10 NKJV) "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

He shows us how to abide in His love- keep His commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. Love one another. This is a picture of what He has done, and an example of how we can follow Him in that.

TRUST

We can't trust in people or in things- we can only truly trust in God

People are flawed and imperfect, and it's unfair to expect otherwise

We are being perfected through Christ Jesus

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the kings delicacies

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the kings delicacies

I've been studying the book of Daniel lately. Admittedly, I think I've spent more time on Facebook, than in my 'Faithbook'- how sad. I really need and will do something about that. As I wonder why I've been doing this, I think it's really just to escape what I actually have to do. The enemy is sneaky- if you can be distracted from what you've been called to do, i.e. your purpose, he will do it in such a way, that at first you won't notice it. It seems all innocent, harmless even. And them BAM- you're hooked, like a drug addict who knows it's not good for you, but you just can't seem to take yourself away from it.

Okay- so I've enjoyed checking my updates, even posting funnies up there and seeing if anyone agrees. I guess it's that feeling of someone else 'liking' what you have to say- even if it is meaningless, and yes- alot of what is on facebook is meaningless. Thinking about this, makes me realise that my whole family are using technology way too much to communicate. Hmmm...when I think back to my adolescent years, we probably didn't spend that much time communicating with our parents, apart from the odd grunt here and there, and the conversations around needing money or stuff for school or our social life, etc. We were out with our friends, hanging out with our peers. I guess this facebook/ social networking via this different form of media is a development of the kinds of childhoods that our kids experienced, where no longer did they have the kind of freedom we had to just roam the neighbourhood and be gone for ages, while our parents trusted that we'd be okay. Times changed, circumstances changed and therefore the way we interacted and communicated I guess evolved. I suppose this form of media is one of their ways to keep their communication and 'relationships' going in this day and age. I guess too as a parent, I'm kind of able to keep up with some of what they are engaging in via this medium- just not stalking [had to put that in there in case one of them reads this and is on to me LOL]. 

So- what does this have to do with the study of Daniel? I'm working this out as I write this, so I'm trusting that this is Holy Spirit inspired. The thing God is showing me about Daniel was the kind of servant he was. He was an administrator- something similar to what I do. I'm a school administrator [that's a probably more of an American term used for head teachers/ principals]. God's been showing me the character of Daniel and how he was just so faithful to what God had called him to do and be. Daniel was selected as one of several to be trained up fit for service/ administration to the king of that time. Those selected were the best of the best- bright, handsome, fit and able and talented. So he was Dan the man, so to speak. The scripture that stuck out for me was in Chapter 1, where it says "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself of the kings delicacies". Daniel amongst the others called up for training, were given 'the royal treatment'- finest foods and wines, but Daniel didn't want any of this. Daniel probably knew that such trappings that come with being priveleged can actually distract you from what you've been called to do, and Daniel knew that he had been called to serve God first and foremost. In the book of Daniel two great examples, amongst many demonstrate that key message, i.e. when Daniels friends were put in the fiery furnance because they chose not to bow to the king of the day, only to the one true God Himself; and also when Daniel was cast into the Lion's den for acknowledging his God, and not bending down to the ruler of the day. Leading up to all of this, God blessed Daniel and his friends for their obedience, their faithfulness and their belief in Him- by guiding them through their times of disciplining themselves- being careful not to fall into the trap of partaking of the delicacies of the king-but only eating fruit, vegetables and water for 10 days and then being tested to see if the way they had followed [His way], was higher or better than the way dictated for them by the king. They were proven then to be trusted by both man and God, and then God took them to a new and higher level of faith by allowing them to go through those far-out trials. In both the fire and the lions den- God was with them. He was their protector, their provider, their deliverer. Through them, they proved to 'man' that their God was God. Sovereign. Miraculous. God.

So one [of the many] lessons for me... what are the delicacies that I might be partaking of, that will defile me? What are the trappings of a 'priveleged life' that will distract me or affect me and therefore stop me from achieving what God has purposed me to do for Him, for the kingdom?

I can think of a few:

Food- I'm eating way too much for what I need, and I'm getting too fat for my liking, let alone my health.

Technology- I know it's supposed to save time, but I'm allowing this to 'waste my time' by surfing the net when a question comes to mind, even if it's got nothing to do with what I was thinking about at the time, or just watching TV just because it's on.

Stuff- I've got way too much stuff, and I can't look after it as well as I should, which tells me that I probably don't need it, and stop accumulating more stuff to take care of.

Freedom to choose what I like to do in my work- I'm blessed with the role I have and sometimes it can be easy to spend more time on the things I enjoy doing, and at times neglecting the areas that I probably should spend more time in. This includes being able to delegate tasks, and making sure that I give the right support and encouragement to those carrying out that work. 

I'm sure more will come to mind- I just need to mull this over, ask the Holy Spirit to keep working on my heart and in my life so that some of these things can die in me, and more of Him and live in me. Amen!

Lord help me in these areas, and especially in spending more time with you. That you are at the centre of my life, and that from You, all things spring forth as they should. 

Do you know Daniel, was shown gradually as he was 'tested' time and time again, future prophecies that God asked him to store up in his heart and to document for the future? Daniel carried that privilege/ burden of knowing what- but not when. Daniel proved himself to be someone who God trusted, and who man trusted in. It was through his faithfulness, his integrity- that others knew the God of Daniel- always coming through for him, always with a word and truth that would bring life, for Daniel and for the people. 

Daniel's example was like that of Jesus himself. He loved God and his people. He wanted what God wanted. There were times of trial, but God knew, Daniels heart. Daniel, like Jesus- was just a man. Flesh. But he gave his life as a living sacrifice, in order that God's will be done. 

God help me to spend more time in your word. To do what you have called me to do. To recognise distractions and to know that in You, I can stand against the works of the enemy.

The works of the enemy can never stand against the Word of our God. Amen.